Closure apparatus for a pit or like open spaces



June 25, 1957 H. KUMMERMAN 2,797,083

CLOSURE APPARATUS FOR A PIT OR LIKE OPEN SPACES 6 SheetS-Sheet- 1 vJulie 25, 1957 H. KUMMERMAN 2,797,083

cLoSURE APPARATUS FoR A PIT 0R LIKE OPEN sPAcEs -Filed oct.,f5. 1954` 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. KUMMERMAN 77,083

`Func! 25, 1957 CLOSURE APPABATUS FOR A PIT O LIKE OPEN SPACES 6 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Oct. 5, .1954

June 25, 1957 H, KUMMERMAN 2,797,083

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6 Sheets-Sheet- 4 June 25, 1957 H. KUMMERMAN 2,797,083

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CLOSURE APPARATUS FOR A PIT OR LIKE OPE vFiled om.'A 5. 1954 Patented June 25, 1957 CLOSURE APPARATUS EUR A PIT R LIKE @PEN SPACES Henri Kumrncrman, Paris, France Application ctoiier 5, 1954, Serial No. 460,363

16 Claims. (Cl. 26S-4a) The present invention relates to a device for closing, by means of movable panels, apertures formed in spaces of any character such as pits, cellars, open quarries, trenches, ships holds, etc,

In circumstances requiring closing devices of this type it is in many cases essential to ensure a very quick movement of the panels in both opening and closing operations. Now the device according to this invention is characterized by a particular suitability for these specific conditions of use. Moreover, this device is extremely safe in operation and this also constitutes an essential requirement in many cases where movable panels are used for closing apertures.

The device according to the invention is remarkable, notably, in that it comprises an assembly of panels permitting the complete closing and opening of the aperture concerned, all or some of these panels performing a sliding or rolling displacement to move them away from the edges of the aperture, this displacement being ensured by adequate slide-ways or runways formed on surfaces inclined to the horizontal so that the opening movement takes place by gravity or automatically whilst Winches or like apparatus are provided to move the panels up the slopes and close the aperture.

According to another feature of the invention, locking means are provided for holding the panels against motion in their closed position.

According to this invention, interconnecting means may also be provided between the different locking means associated with the panels constituting the device, whereby the operation of the various panels takes place in a fully automatical and simultaneous manner.

Other features and advantages of the movable panel arrangement according to this invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a few forms of embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatical plan view showing the application of the device to the closing of a pit, the device comprising in this specific case four separate panels;

Figure 2 shows in diagrammatical fashion the control means provided in a pit of the type shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 shows at a greater scale and in vertical section the constructional details of the control means equipping one of the movable panels of the embodiment of Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a detail view showing at a greater scale and in perspective the locking means of point A in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but referring to the point B of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 and 5 but referring to the point C of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional detail view showing the rolling engagement of a panel on its sloping runway;

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing a modilied embodiment wherein two rocking panels are provided, and

Figure 9 is a detail view showing the mode of operation of a rocking panel in the arrangement of Figure 8.

In the example illustrated in Figures l and 2 of the drawings it is assumed that the space to be covered by the panel device of this invention consists of a pit comprising a main section 1 and two auxiliary sections 2., 2 disposed on either side of the main section, as shown. A pit of this type may be utilized for storing goods, aircrafts, etc. In this last case, the main portion or fuselage of an aircraft will be positioned in the main or central section 1 with the wings extending both in this central section and in the lateral extensions 2, 2 thereof.

According to this invention, the upper portion or aperture of the pit is closed by a set of four panels, viz. the panels 3, 4 closing the main or central section and panels 5, 6 closing the lateral sections 2, 2. ln Figure 1 there are shown in thick lines the positions of the panels in their closed condition and in dotted lines the positions of the panels in their open condition. It will be readily apparent that the pit may be opened by displacement of the panels in the directions of the arrows f, i. e. by causing the panels to slide or roll toward suitable spaces provided for this purpose beyond the pits aperture. These panels, when they close the pit, may be adjacent and form well known tight joints.

In Figure 3 there is shown at a greater scale the specific case of the panel 4 of the embodiment of Figure l, and also the mechanism provided for moving the panel in the direction of the arrow f. In this example it is assumed that the panel is movable along the runway 7 by means of rollers 8. As apparent from the drawing, this runway 7 extends somewhat beyond the edge of the pit 1. This extension of the runway does not alter to an appreciable extent the over-all dimensions of the device since it is positioned just along the edge of the aperture and cannot interfere whatsoever with the utilization of the pit over its whole area.

The lower portion of the panel 4 is formed with a flat member or any other suitable projecting flange 9 for a purpose to be explained presently.

The front end portion of the panel bears on a sloped ramp 10 constituting an intermediate member between the lower face 11 of the panel when the latter is closed and the runway 7 inclined to a substantial degree to the horizontal. Thus, the panel 4, due to the action of gravity, may roll along the ramp y11) to the guiding runway 7, the latter being mounted either in the open air or contained in a sheath or passage-way, as in the vcase of this Figure 3, wherein the passage-way is delineated at 12. When this last-mentioned arrangement is resorted to, inspection holes such as 13, closed by cover plates 14, are provided. A resilient stop or pad 15 is provided in the lower end of the passage-way 12 for damping out shocks when the panel completes its opening stroke. The position of the panel 4 in the passage-way 12, i. e. when the pit is open, is shown in chain-dotted lines in Figure 3. Under normal conditions, i. e. when the pit 1 is closed by the panel 4, the latter is locked in position so that ,it cannot be released along the slopes 10, 7 and thus open the pit unexpectedly. For this purpose, the vertical edge of the aperture to be closed by the panel is provided at an adequate location with a stationary stop member 16 and the panel itself is provided with a co-operating hook member 17 adapted to engage the stationary-stop member 16 in the closed condition so that the panel cannot move in the direction of the arrow as long as the hook member is engaged behind the stop member 16. A pivoted lever 19 is also mounted in the vertical edge of the aperture and provided with a control rod 20 whereby the lever 19 may be lowered at one end' and lifted at the opposite end to raise the hook member 17 in the direction of the arrows f, and f2. At one end 21 of the panel there is secured a rope 22 passing over a sheave 23' located within theuframe of the aperture to beequippedl with the device of this invention. This rope 22 is adapted to, be wound on ,the drum of a hand-actuated winch 23. In the example illustrated a winch actuated by means of a handcrank 24 is provided but it will be readily understood that any other electrical, mechanical or pneumatic winch may be substituted for the winch 23 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Y The panel 4 kis provided with a resilient bumper 25 of rubber or any other suitable material situated on the extreme side of this panelwhich extends perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement thereof. In front of this bumper 25 and in the said pit is pivotally mounted a bell-crank lever 26 adapted to be engaged by the projection or flange 9 provided on the panel so as to rock the lever 26 in the manner set forth hereafter.

Figures 4, and 6 of the drawings show in detail the purpose and mode of operation of the bell-crank lever 26. In the rst place,.the projecting ange 9 causes the lever 26 to be rockedV in the direction of the arrow f3. The bell-crank lever 26 is pivotally mounted on the vertical edge of the aperture at 27 and carries at its end opposed to that engaged by the projection 9, i. e. at 28, a rod 29; the other end of this rod 29 is shown in Figure 5 as being attached at 30 to a lever 31 fulcrumed on a pivot pin 31' (Figure 2,). This lever 31 co-acts with another lever 32 fulcrumed on the adjacent panel 5 and engaging a xed stop 33 provided in the vertical edge of the pit section 2. Figure 6 shows the fixation of the panel 3 which is provided with a lever 34 carrying a counterweight 35 and a hook portion 36 engaging the rear face of a stop constituted by the lever `32' fulcrumed on the panel 5. A fixed stop 37 may also be provided to support the counterweight 35.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6 there are shown the pivotal connections positioned at A, B and C in Figure 2. Obviously,

transmission rods 38, 39, 39 and 40 may be provided for rigidly interconnecting the locking devices A-A, B-C, C--C, C'-B, so that each panel will Vcomprise two symmetrical locking devices.

Figure 7 illustrates the case of a panel 4, for example, displaceable within its sheath or passage-way 12. This panel carries at its side end a roller 41 adapted to roll on the inclined bottom 7. A channel 42 is provided for draining the pit.

The operation of the device described hereinabove is extremely simple.

Assuming the pit shown in Figures l and 2 to be in its closed condition, it will be sufficient for the operator to pull the rod 20 in the direction of the arrow f1, and the lever 19 will rotate about its pivot pinsecured in the vertical edge of the pit. As the lever 19 moves in the direction of the arrow f2 it lifts lthe co-acting lever 17 pivoted on the panel through a pivot pin 18 fast with the rod 38. This movement of lever 17 releases the panel from the stop 16 and enables the panel to move in the direction of the arrow f by gravity along the slopes 10 and 7. After the panel has been moved through a relatively short distance the flange 9 engages the projecting lug of the bellcrank lever 26 and causes the latter to rock in the direction of the arrow f3. This movement causes the rod 29 to move in the direction of the arrow L. As shown in Figure 5, the rod 29 acts upon the lever 31 and rotates it in the direction of the arrow fs. This movement will obviously lift the lever 32 in the direction of the arrow f, thereby releasing the panel 5 while permitting its displacement in the direction of the arrow j,. VIt is evident that the rocking of leverV 32 in the direction f6 is also transmitted to the rod 39 actuating in turn the lever 32 positioned at the opposite end of the panel, 5 which is adjacent to the panel 3 (see also Figure '6). As the rod 39 rotates in the direction of the arrow f., it produces a similar movement of the lever 32 Whose end is thus released from the hook 36 formed on the lever 34 pertaining to the panel 3. As a result, this panel 3 is now free to move in the direction of the arrow f8.

In the foregoing there is described only the motion of one locking mechanism of the two provided on each panel, but obviously the provision of coupling rods 38, 39, 39 and 49 produces the transmission of simultaneous and symmetrical movements on either side of the panel concerned.

When it is desired to close the pit, the winch 23 associated with one panel is first actuated. In the case illustrated the winch 23 associated with the panel 4 is actuated. By use of an appropriate reducing gear, the panel 4 may be moved up the slope 7 at a relatively quick rate and thus the hook 17 is nally engaged behind the stop 16. As the flanges or like members 9 provided on either lateral side of the panel 4 do not interfere with the operation of the locking device 26, each locking device may be re-engaged when the relevant panel is raised to its pit-closing position. Therefore, it may be stated that owing to the passage of panel 4 from its open position to its closed position these locking devices are engaged automatically in the case of the remaining panels 3, 5 and 6, and that the simple upward movement of these panels is suicient to positively lock them in their closed positions.

In the example illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 the panels 5 and 6 of the sliding and rolling type are simply replaced by panels pivotally mounted about pivot pins 43, 44. A counterweight 45 may be provided on these panels in order to facilitate their operation; besides, as in the preceding example, these panels are provided with pivoting levers 17 adapted to engage, or be hooked to, a stop 16 provided in the vertical edge of the pit aperture.

The means employed for controlling the closing of a rocking panel are the same as those illustrated in the case of rolling panels. The only additional care required in the case of rocking panels is the provision of a cavity such as 46 to permit the passage of the counterweight from one extreme position, shown in thick lines and wherein the panel closes the relevant pit section, to the other extreme position, shown in chain-dotted lines and wherein the panel is fully open.

It is apparent that when the pit or other cavity is closed, the rocking panels are in an unstable balance condition so that by mere release of the relevant locking devices the panels will move automatically to their open position. It is therefore obvious that this operation is fully automatic. Moreover, the control elements are preferably mounted on stationary parts of the pit edge or frame, so that these elements will Constantly act in a safe manner on members carried by stationary pivot pms.

Of course, the invention is not restricted to the forms of embodiment shown and described, as manymodications may be brought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. Closure apparatus for a pit or a like open space, comprising guideways along the edges of the said pit, extensions of said guideways beyond the limits of said pit, a number of panels riding on said guideways and extensions, the said guideways and extensions being inclined to the horizontal and sloping downwardly towards the extreme outer ends of such extensions, corresponding thus to the opening position of the said panels, means for locking and immobilizing said panels when they rest on said guideways and close the said pit, the opening motion of said panels towards their position on said extensions taking place by gravity by the mere release of the said locking means, and controlling means for positively moving said panels in the upward direction for closing said pit, the said panels being when in the closed position in a substantially horizontal plane and in an unstable balance condition and urged by gravity in the open position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said locking means comprises means to provide mutual interlocking of at least some of said panels.

3. Apparatus according to claim l wherein each panel is provided with rolling means, the guideway being so inclined and positioned that one end of each panel, when in the closed position, bears with at least one pair of rollers on the relevant downwardly sloping extension.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the directions of two adjacent guideways form substantially right angles.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each panel contains front and rear rollers and in order to ensure a substantially horizontal position of the panel in the closed condition thereof, there is provided on the edge of the pit another slope, positioned at a higher level than the rolling slope, and the rear rollers of the panel bear on this other slope in its closed position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein rod members are provided transversely across the said panels for operatively interconnecting two locking means situated on two opposite sides of a panel.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each locking member consists of a fixed stop means provided in the guideway of the pit and of a movable hooking member provided on the panel and adapted to hold the panel against motion by coacting with said stop.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein a nger like member is provided in the guideway of the aperture and intended to displace said hooking member for releasing the panel.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein interconnecting means are provided between said locking means on the panels, the release action occurring almost simultaneously on all of said panels, thereby allowing the said panels to move along their relevant sloping guideways.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 having means for acting upon said locking means when each panel is restored to its closed position to lock it automatically against motion.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said interconnecting means between the locking means are actuated by the locking of but one panel after the latter has been brought to its closed position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said interconnecting means consist of a rocking member and of transmission rods for said locking means, the said interconnecting means being actuated by movement of the first mentioned panel.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein transmission lever means are provided for the rst panel, a rod rigid therewith and cooperating lever means on the second panel for holding same against motion.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a pivot pin supports the lever pertaining to said second panel and cooperates with the lever belonging to a third panel.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a pair of panels is disposed in alignment to each other and in the axial direction of the said pit, and a pair of lateral panels closing two laterally extending portions of said pit, one of the axial panels actuating the relevant transmission lever, thereby releasing the pair of lateral panels, whereas the unlocking of one of these lateral panels actuates the lever releasing the second axial panel.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein one of the locking levers of each of said lateral panels also engages a lever of another axial panel, whereby the unlocking of said lateral panel releases automatically the axial panel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 282,100 McIntyre July 31, 1883 1,018,777 Potvin Feb. 27, 1912 1,194,578 Vickman Aug. 15, 1916 1,275,594 Peterson Aug. 13, 1918 1,473,843 Fuerstenberg Nov. 13, 1923 1,820,941 Hawks Sept. 1, 1931 2,564,966 Farrell Aug. 21, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 354,643 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1931 

